Blog | Horizon Structures test

Blog

Empty Fields Everywhere - Why Movement is So Important

by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

Driving through Kentucky recently, I passed breathtaking farms – acres and acres of meticulously manicured pastures, lined with black Kentucky-style four board fences that seemed to travel for miles. What struck me, however, was their barrenness.

Empty fields in Kentucky

 

Where are all the horses?

Placed high on mounds in the distance were spectacular barns – horse “hotels” where horses reside –...

read more
April 27, 2018 posted by Content Admin
The Wonders of Whelping - What Dog Breeders Know

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

As a pet owner breeding the family pet or as a professional dog breeder that operates a successful business, the wonders of whelping are an exciting time. The needs of the mother necessarily come first, and like any birthing there is much that can be done to provide an optimum experience and outcome for the health and happiness of both the breeding bitch and the litter of cuddly puppies.

Dog Breeding Tips - Little Gem Onyx of Windy Ridge

Horizon...

read more
April 21, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Closed Open Spaces are Happy Places

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

With the popularity of ‘Airbnb’ and other resources to accommodate the needs of the adventurer and travel-minded population, it is little wonder that property ownership can offer income streams previously too complicated to contemplate including farm tourism, photography, and venue rental.
Folks love the idea of enjoying the experience of the rural lifestyle - living or spending time at a private location for an event.  As a result, many are increasingly shying away from chain hotels with boring conference room décor and bland...

read more
April 13, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Swing Into Spring Fit and Ready to Ride

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

Many riders struggle to be the best athlete they can possible be, to complement their talented equine partners. Fitness for the equestrian is just as important as for an athlete in any other sport. Finding time to work out and hit the gym is difficult.

Many outdoor loving equestrians do not enjoy the stale air of the indoor gym environment and the distraction of other gym users. When the drive time to and from the gym and time away from the stable is added to the mix, the local gym is often not the favorite arena to meet...

read more
April 10, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Build in Safety for Horse and Rider When Building an Indoor Arena

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

There are many safety factors that can easily be overlooked when building an indoor arena and it is important to take the time to plan and consider both present and future needs and of paramount importance in those considerations should be horse and rider safety.

Horse and rider safety

Be Clear About Clear Span

The geography of the U.S.A. offers diverse weather patterns, precipitation and temperature...

read more
March 21, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Horses, Hay and Homesteading

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

Everything old is new again. Horse owners are increasingly adding value to their lives by returning to agricultural practices to cultivate organic produce and animal products on their farms.

The notion of going ‘old school’ and designing a multi-use horse barn to keep everything under one roof has seen a rise in popularity as a result. The advantages are obvious as daily chores can be completed without venturing into the elements and the benefits apply whether the...

read more
March 21, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Finishing Touches for Your New Horse Barn

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

The day has finally arrived and your new horse barn is ready to use. The smell of fresh shavings, the aroma of new wood and the promise of many happy hours to come in the company of your favorite equines is on the horizon.

Before you invite your wee equine beasties inside there are a few finishing touches to consider. Follow these simple horse barn designs to increase barn safety, functionality and utility:

Seal the Surfaces

Before your horse poops against the clean wall or...

read more
March 9, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Top Ten Tips for Building an Indoor Arena

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

Don’t let your dream indoor riding arena become a nightmare because of lack of knowledge or poor planning. There are many pitfalls you need to avoid so here are the Top Ten Tips on how to build an indoor arena that will save you heartache and help make your dream indoor arena a reality.

1. A Place for Everything

The location you choose for your arena will directly affect the price of site preparation. Select...

read more
February 9, 2018 posted by Content Admin
How To Make Your Horse Barn Patriotic

Blog by Cass Wright

For many people, especially the Amish, horses are an essential part of daily life. In fact, the American horse population was at 9.2 million in 2003, and it is very likely that the number has risen since. This means that there are millions of Americans with horse barns, and if you own a horse barn you may be wondering how to make it look a little nicer.

From making sure that the barn ...

read more
January 18, 2018 posted by Content Admin
Once Upon a Time ~ Horizon Structures from PA to Rancho Santa Fe

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

The Story Begins

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away from Atglen, PA, there lived a young woman named Helen Whittier Woodward.  Helen’s father, Max Whittier, had moved West from Maine to sunny California to drill for water. Instead he found oil, and thus the dynasty “Rodeo Land and Water Company” began.

Helen Whittier Woodward

Helen was born in...

read more
December 22, 2017 posted by Content Admin
The Top Five Most Important ‘Features to Feature’ in Your New Horse Barn

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

Horse Barn in Sunset

When considering various features of a barn, (regardless of whether you are going prefabricated, pole barn or stick built), it is important to carefully question the builders under consideration for the project as to which features are included in the price and which features you will be charged extra for.

1. The...

read more
December 22, 2017 posted by Content Admin
Is it Time to Walk Your One True Love Down the Center Aisle?

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

When I arrived in America from Great Britain eons ago, I was soon engrossed in everything horse. In fact, it only took me a few months to purchase my first USA horse and put him in livery. My first and only boarding barn experience was at Caumsett State Park Stables, Lloyds Harbor, NY at the previous estate of Marshall Field, the American entrepreneur and founder of Marshall Field of the Chicago-based department stores.

The majority of horses were stabled in the new forty stall metal structure comprised of two long aisles with...

read more
December 19, 2017 posted by Content Admin
Fresh Air Everywhere ~ Why The Shed Row Barn is Popular

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

As a kid growing up in England most horse housing in my Buckinghamshire neighborhood was some version of a shed row design. The traditional use of the shed row horse barn offered a less expensive and very serviceable stabling option. Frequently the configurations were in a square with a central yard.  This layout is ideal for tacking up, mounting and bathing horses with protection from the wind. The older stable blocks would be built of brick, the newer ones made of wood.

...

read more
December 12, 2017 posted by Content Admin
The Equine Affaire ~ An Affaire to Remember

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

November temperatures in Springfield, MA are usually mild but the Equine Affaire (November 9-12,2017), was certainly an exception. While troops of people dashed between the well-heated buildings at the Eastern Exposition Center, those outside were definitely challenged by temperatures in the mid-teens and the biting cold wind!

Attendees arriving dressed for the weather, quickly found themselves carrying heavy jackets in addition to their shopping bags as the temperatures inside were stifling.  Laden down but undeterred, plenty...

read more
November 29, 2017 posted by Content Admin
Horizon Structures Commercial Kennels Answer K9 Trainers and Veterinarians Needs & Wants

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

“Absolutely fabulous!” says Vincent DiCicco DVM, of the commercial kennel that he and his wife Anna, also a qualified vet, selected from Horizon Structures. The purchase was for their son Marc and his partner Steven Cordoba’s K9 training business 203K9, based in Stamford, Connecticut.

Commercial Kennel

The team at Horizon Structures loves to hear dog kennel reviews from clients and learn how the new structure they purchased is...

read more
October 31, 2017 posted by Content Admin
The Humble Run-in Shed Adds True Value

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

You may think that blanketing your horses or having the cover of trees in your pasture eliminates the need to worry about providing shelter with a run-in shed. If you turn your horse out for just a few hours at a time and are present to bring him in should the weather turn bad then perhaps this is true.
Horses in snow
However, many of us like to turn our horses out for several...

read more
October 18, 2017 posted by Content Admin
Buy Good Hay & Keep It That Way

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

I learned about hay early in life thanks to my wonderful grandfather, ‘Pop.’ As a child growing up in rural Buckinghamshire, England, I was blessed to live on a property with horses, paddocks, fields and super bridleways that weaved through 500 year-old oak trees, with sandy loam soils underfoot and lots of galloping fun.

My grandfather grew up a farmer’s son in the small village of Mentmore. He delighted in sharing his knowledge of everything animal and farming. One day when I was just 11 years old, he took me into one of our...

read more
October 3, 2017 posted by Content Admin
Why Did You Put It There?

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

Did you ever look at a horse barn and stare in amazement wondering, “Why on earth did they put it there?”

I have. There is more to placing your barn on the best site possible than you might think. Here’s our top ten list of barn location mistakes folks make and a few horse barn tips on what to avoid doing yourself.

1.I put it right next to my house so I could see my horse’s face peeping out in the morning.

Well who wouldn’t want to see their horse from the kitchen window while...

read more
September 12, 2017 posted by Content Admin
The Foibles of Barn Building

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith

To board or to buy? There are many good reasons to do either but if are considering building a barn for horses in your own backyard then be sure there are no foibles in your plan. Here are a few horse barn tips things to think about before you start.

Size Matters

I have a friend who built a beautiful horse farm replete with 50 stalls, additional carriage houses for guests and a superb home. When he and his wife retired they placed their property on the market. Where it sat. And sat. And still sits. Why...

read more
August 27, 2017 posted by Content Admin
Prefab versus Pole Barn: What's the Difference continued...

Blog by Nikki Alvin-Smith and Jill Siragusa

Part 2: The Differences Between Prefabricated and Pole Barns

In Part 1 of this post, we wanted to get you thinking about how an “apple” – i.e. prefab/modular horse barn is different from an “orange” pole barn in order to help you can make an intelligent comparison between the two and an informed decision when purchasing a horse barn.  In Part 2, we continue the discussion with an explanation of some additional, equally important advantages of prefabricated structures over stick-built ones when buying a horse...

read more
August 4, 2017 posted by Content Admin

Pages